Is that certification really worth it?
Compare licensing requirements, costs, salaries and career payoff for 28 careers across all 50 states — built on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data and primary state licensing sources.
Four careers people ask about most
Dental Hygienist
Associate degree in Dental Hygiene from a CODA-accredited program
- National median
- $98,100 ($47.16/hr)
- Time to certify
- 2-4 years
- Exam cost
- $48–$1,500
- 10-yr job growth
- +7.0%
You are detail-oriented and have excellent fine motor skills for working precisely in small areas.
You are prone to back, neck, or wrist pain, as the job is physically demanding and can lead to musculoskeletal disorders.
Welder
No formal education is required, but welding training programs and apprenticeships are recommended
- National median
- $53,750 ($25.84/hr)
- Time to certify
- 1-5 years
- Exam cost
- $25–$1,255
- 10-yr job growth
- +2.2%
You have strong hand-eye coordination and a steady hand for detailed, precise work.
You cannot handle physically demanding work that involves prolonged standing, bending, and lifting heavy objects.
Barber
1500-hour training program
- National median
- $38,210 ($18.37/hr)
- Time to certify
- 8-12 months
- Exam cost
- $15–$400
- 10-yr job growth
- +4.1%
You are a creative person with a good eye for detail and enjoy helping people feel more confident about their appearance.
You are not prepared for the physical demands of standing for long hours and repetitive motions, which can lead to back and joint pain.
Pharmacy Technician
High school diploma or GED
- National median
- $45,750 ($22.00/hr)
- Time to certify
- 3-12 months
- Exam cost
- $129
- 10-yr job growth
- +6.4%
You are highly detail-oriented and can maintain focus in a fast-paced environment to avoid medication errors.
You are easily stressed by high-pressure situations involving angry customers, constant interruptions, and critical deadlines.
Careers by category
Healthcare
| Career | National median | 10-yr growth |
|---|---|---|
|
Dental Hygienist
SOC 29-1292
|
$98,100 | +7.0% |
|
Registered Nurse (RN)
SOC 29-1141
|
$97,550 | +4.9% |
|
Respiratory Therapist
SOC 29-1126
|
$82,280 | +12.1% |
|
Radiology Technologist
SOC 29-2034
|
$80,110 | +4.3% |
|
Surgical Technologist
SOC 29-2055
|
$64,650 | +4.5% |
|
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
SOC 29-2061
|
$64,400 | +2.6% |
|
Paramedic
SOC 29-2043
|
$60,600 | +5.0% |
|
Medical Coder
SOC 29-2072
|
$51,140 | +7.1% |
|
Dental Assistant
SOC 31-9091
|
$48,070 | +6.4% |
|
Pharmacy Technician
SOC 29-2052
|
$45,750 | +6.4% |
|
Medical Assistant
SOC 31-9092
|
$45,690 | +12.5% |
|
Phlebotomist
SOC 31-9097
|
$45,230 | +5.6% |
|
EMT
SOC 29-2042
|
$44,470 | +5.1% |
|
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
SOC 31-1131
|
$42,260 | +2.3% |
Skilled Trades
| Career | National median | 10-yr growth |
|---|---|---|
|
Plumber
SOC 47-2152
|
$63,800 | +4.5% |
|
Electrician
SOC 47-2111
|
$63,190 | +9.5% |
|
HVAC Technician
SOC 49-9021
|
$61,010 | +8.1% |
|
CDL Truck Driver
SOC 53-3032
|
$58,640 | +4.0% |
|
Welder
SOC 51-4121
|
$53,750 | +2.2% |
Personal Care & Wellness
| Career | National median | 10-yr growth |
|---|---|---|
|
Massage Therapist
SOC 31-9011
|
$58,450 | +15.4% |
|
Personal Trainer
SOC 39-9031
|
$47,160 | +11.9% |
|
Barber
SOC 39-5011
|
$38,210 | +4.1% |
|
Cosmetologist
SOC 39-5012
|
$35,790 | +5.6% |
Professional & Business
| Career | National median | 10-yr growth |
|---|---|---|
|
CPA (Certified Public Accountant)
SOC 13-2011
|
$83,680 | +4.6% |
|
Paralegal
SOC 23-2011
|
$62,890 | +0.2% |
|
Insurance Agent
SOC 41-3021
|
$62,280 | +3.7% |
|
Real Estate Agent
SOC 41-9022
|
$52,830 | +3.1% |
| Notary Public | Fee-based | — |
The matchups readers look up most
Start with the big questions
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Read the guide → -
EditorialCNA to LPN: The Real Break-Even Math That Career Sites Miss
Career sites quote 4-10 months to break even on the CNA-to-LPN upgrade. They skip the $40,000+ in foregone income during training. Here's the math that actually applies.
Read the guide → -
EditorialEMT to Paramedic: What the Break-Even Math Actually Shows in 2026
The EMT-to-paramedic upgrade costs more than the tuition sticker. Factor in 18 months of foregone EMT wages and the real tab exceeds $70,000. Here's which states make it worth it — and which don't.
Read the guide →
Where you work changes the math
| State | Registered nurse | Electrician | State page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $95,970 | $58,570 | View → |
| California | $140,270 | $76,160 | View → |
| Florida | $84,190 | $57,250 | View → |
| New York | $109,440 | $78,750 | View → |
| Ohio | $82,510 | $64,700 | View → |
| Illinois | $95,990 | $99,560 | View → |
| Georgia | $93,550 | $58,320 | View → |
| Pennsylvania | $96,430 | $67,600 | View → |
| North Carolina | $84,350 | $56,800 | View → |
| Michigan | $94,300 | $76,270 | View → |
How we source this
Wage data: BLS OEWS, May 2025BLS wage data
State-level medians, percentiles and employment come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
State licensing boards
Hours, exams, fees and reciprocity come from each state's primary licensing authority, with the source linked on the page.
BLS job outlook
Ten-year growth and annual openings come from the BLS Employment Projections program.